Wenger feels Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski saved by Porto rout

12 March 2010 12:57

Arsenal's thumping 5-0 win over Porto has saved Lukasz Fabianski from a professional disaster that could have led to 'long-term mental consequences', according to manager Arsene Wenger.

The Poland goalkeeper, criticised for his display in the first leg, has been saved from a guilt-trip because Arsenal cruised through in the second leg last Tuesday.

Bad night: Arsenal's goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski with his back to the ball as Porto's Ruben Micael gets ready to take a free kick

Asked whether it would have been a personal disaster for Fabianski had the Gunners not progressed, Wenger replied: 'Yes, it would have had long-term mental consequences for him had we gone out.

'He could have felt, "Ah, they blame me." even if it wasn't true. 'So I think the result on Tuesday has helped him to recover. He is a top-class keeper and one day you will see I'm right.'

There was little good news on the injury front heading into tomorrow's clash against Hull. Cesc Fabregas remains sidelined, as does William Gallas whose calf injury is causing concern.

Good to talk: Wenger is confident of keeping William Gallas at Arsenal

But Wenger said talks will be taking place on Thursday with the France defender's advisers about a new contract. Wenger refused to say whether he was breaking his self-imposed rule of not offering more than 12-month deals to players aged 30 or over.

He said: 'I am not concerned. William is under contract until 30th June. We have not found an agreement yet.'

With Real Madrid having fallen to Lyon, speculation is almost inevitable that Wenger will be targeted once more to take over at the Bernabeu.

'Leave me alone on that,' Wenger said. 'I was always going to go to the end of my contract which is 2011. There's just no way.

'I'm concentrating on Hull City. You might think that is less glamorous, but they are far more important in my life.'